Building construction



28, 1936. A. F. BEMIS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21, 1934 A. F. BEMIS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION July 28, 1936.7

Filed 'July 21, 1954 a Sheets-SheetZ 677 wig/6;

July 28, 1936. A. F. BEMIS 2,049,199

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 21, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 fiwezwr lII .ll...|| III-.ll'lll llllnl:

July 28; 1936'. A. F. BEMIS I 2,049,190

- I BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 21, 1934 8 ShGBtS-ShBGt 4 July 28, 1936.

A. F. BEMIS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 21, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 a Sheets-Sheet s M28, 1936. A. F. BEMIS BUILDING CONSTRUCTIGN Filed July 21, 1934 July 28,1936. A, Ems v 2,049,190

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 21, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jul .28,1936.. AR M A q .2,049,190

' Q BUILDBQLGYCIONSTRUCT'ION:

. Filed July 21, 19:54 v '8 Sheets-Sheet a a I V Patented July 28, 1936 1 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2,049,190 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Albert F. B emis, Newton, Mass, assignor to Bemis Industries, Incorporated, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Application July 21, 1934, Serial No. 736,341

5 Claims.

' ardized pieces or strips, preferablypf wood, which may be arranged to interfitwith each other and to be readily connected with suitable reinforcing parts, frame members, connecting pieces, and the like. A building of this type is particularly adaptable to a wide variety of uses and is capable of being erected without necessity for employment of highly skilled labor or a variety of skilled artisans. Thus standardized material of this type may be employed by an individual in constructing a camp, garage, shed, or the like, while the material may be also employed by profes sional builders for more elaborate constructions:

In its essential aspect the present invention makes use of a plurality of standardized strips which may be provided with tongues and grooves so that they may be readily joined in providing panels or sub-assemblies. In many cases such sub-assemblies may be constructed in a manufacturlng establishment or shop remote from the building site; Under other conditions the separate strips may be assembled upon the building site.

' Ordinarily the panels may be provided with reinforcing parts which may cooperate in affording portions of the reinforcing structure or framework of the completed building. Other frame elements may be arranged to cooperate with these parts of the panels in defining corner posts, posts at wall intersections, sills, girts and the like.

Thearrangement of the tongue and groove connections of the component elements may be supplemented with splines arranged to interflt with grooves upon certain of the elements so that wall structures may be provided typically consisting of pose and the major portion of the component elev I V ments maybe relatively small in cross section so that closely spaced joints are provided therebetween; accordingly an arrangement is aiforded whereby the natural tendency of wood to contract or expand due to changes in humidity may be automatically compensated for by the individually nailed joints without necessitating a change in the over-all dimensions of the wall. Thus such construction avoids casting heavy strains upon parts of the wooden building structure, such as,

corner joints, due to expansion and contraction of the elements. Preferably, however, the component elements or lumber of which the building is constructed may receive a suitable treatment to afford waterproofing or water-resistant qualities.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention the various parts may have a modular relationship to each other of the general character disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,878,367, issued September 20, 1932. Thus the body portions of panels may comprise units ofgenerally square cross section while the margins of the panels may be provided with reinforcing members having cross-sectional dimensions which are multiples of the corresponding dimensions of the intermediate or substantially square units. This arrangement results in the provision of panels having body portions with surfaces located reen-, trantly in relation to the corresponding surfaces of the reinforcing members, thus defining spaces which may be filled with insulating material or covered with an outer layer of finishing material to aiford an air chamber for insulating purposes.

In the accompanying drawings: v v Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a building constructed in accordance with this invention, parts being removed and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of another portion of the a building shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a broken isometric view of a typical wall panel employed in constructing a building of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a broken isometric view of a corner post assembly;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are isometric views respectively of a joist assembly, a, girt assembly and a special type of joist assembly;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectionof oneend of a panel assembly of the type shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of such a. panel assembly;

Fig. 10 is a broken isometric view of a floor panel assembly disposed in inverted position;-

Fig. 11 is a broken isometric view of the assemof filler piece.

bly of girts and fioor ;.parts at .the corner of, a building of the type disclosed in Fig; .1;

Fig. 12 is an isometric'view similar to Fig. l'but showing an optional embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 13 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the arrangement which may be employed with the embodiment of "the invention shown in Fig. '12; I

Fig. 14 is an isometric view of the end portion of a sill assembly such as is shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing a fioor panel assembly of the type illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 16 is an isometric view of a wall panel assembly such as is employed in the type of construction illustrated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is a broken isometric View with parts removed and parts. shown in section illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional-view of a core strip employed in the various constructions illustrated herein Fig. 19 is a similar view of an optional type of filler piece; and I Fig. 20 is a similar view of another special form Fig.1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a portion of a building structure erected in accordance with thisinvention. Such a structure may be provided with any suitable foundation 1 formed of concreteyorthelike upon which keying strips 2 of .metal may be arranged to provide upstanding ribsto interfit within grooves'in thesill assembly. Such an assembly may comprise an outer elongate element 4 and two inner elements 5 and 5 which have mutually registering grooves in which a splineG is disposed. An intermediate element 1 is provided with a smaller vertical depth than the remainder of the sill assemblyso that upper an'd lower grooves are provided, the lower groove receiving the rib of the .keyingstrip 2. The strips 4, 5 and 5* preferably aresecured to the intermediate strip 1 by any suitable means, as by nails or screws. These various .parts may be formed of standardized stock and secured to each other in a suitable shop remote from the building site. The upper groove provided by this sill assembly is arranged to receive the ends of the wall panels l0. At the sides of the building the members 5 may be omitted from the sill assemblies so that theupper surfaces of the members 5 afford ledges to receive ends of the floor members.

Such a panel is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 3, 8 and 9 of the accompanying draw- 1 ings and comprises a plurality of wooden core strips I! which preferably may be of generally square cross section having interfitting tongues and grooves and being secured to each other by any suitable means such as'glue and/or nailing, preferably the latter. Thus, as shown in Fig. 8, nails may be disposed in the central planes of the strips forming the panel to secure the tongued and groovedportions thereof in proper interfitting relation. As isevident from Fig. 9, the'nails 'l3 connecting'the various strips Il may be arranged in vertically spaced sets so that a worker familiar with a panel assemblyof this character may be able conveniently to saw between the sets of nails to enable portions of the panels to be cut away to accommodate fittings or attachments, for example to accommodate window casings.

Suitable reinforcing elements l2 may be arranged at each side of the panel, these elements being suitablygrooved so that at'one sideof the panel the tongue of the adjoining .core strip fl-l is received in the groove while-at the opposite .side of the panel a spline :14 may be employed, the parts]? als'obeing securedto'the strips I I as by nailing. The outer surfaces of theelements-IZ are provided with grooves 16 to engage other partswith which the panel maybe assembled. The elements 12 may be substantially thickerin a direction transverse of thepanelthanxthe strips: I I, for example, as 'shownthey may have a thickness three" times that of the strips, but their upper and lower endsmay be cut away to provide a thickness similar to-that of thestrips l-L' Thus the panel is in effect providediupon itsup- 215' per and lower edges with't'ongues which have the same thickness as the strips '1 I.

Preferably transverse members I 5-extend betweengthe elements 12, these members 15 being disposed atthe upper and lower ends of the panel 1 J0 and upon both faces thereof, their surfaces being in coplanar-relation-with therabbetedends of the elements 12, as illustrated, for example, inFig..9. Preferably, as shown, "the-members ('15 maybe connected bynails to each of the strips ll, thus serving accurately to position the center of each strip. in relation to the transverse members 1'5. An arrangement of this characterisparticularly desirable when air-dried lumber isemployed, since the individual shrinkage of the' wooden elements which may occur is" readily taken up by the tongue and groove connections,

thesquare cross-sectional shape of the strips .ll .permittingthe provision of :these connections at ;close intervals so that the change in relative di- "mensions of the panel as a whole may be negligible despite marked changes in humidity.

It is furthermore to be noted that the elements I5 may have the same cross-sectional size as the square body portions of the. strips 11. Thusthe cross-sectional dimensions-of all of the parts of a panel lli have a definite relationship to each other, being equal jto the cross-sectional dimensions of the square; body portions of thestrips H or being an integral multiple thereof as is the,

case with the elements 12 which have one crosssectional dimension equal to the side of the square body portion of a strip II and the other crosssectional dimension equal to three times said side dimension.

It may furthermore be noted, as particularly illustrated in Fig. 18, that the tongues and grooves of the strips II also preferably have a definite-dimensional relationship to themodular dimensions of the strip itself. Thus the groove may have a width equal to one-third of the width of the strip and have a depth substantially equalto or slightly greater than one-half of its width, the tongue obviously being dimensioned to fit into the groove of an adjoining similar strip with a nominal clearance.

It is evident that the arrangement of the tongue and groove connections, including that afforded by the spline l4 and the cooperating grooves, permits the panel 10 to consist in gen-- eral of a layer of wooden parts arranged to have weather sealing connections with each other. This same general arrangement of weather sealing connections by .tongue and groove orsplined joints,.as well as the general modular relation-- ship of the parts, may be employed through- .out a building constructed in accordance with be grooved, as designated by numeral II in Fig. 3.

'It is thus evident that a panel I is adapted to be I parts of wood separated by a saw kerf IIJD.

' parts in a variety of ways.

strip I2.

each other by nailing. Thus the reinforcing eleassembled in interfitting relation with adjoining Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, the lower portion of the panel III fits within the upper groove provided by the sill assembly 4, while, if desired, a groove in the member I of this assembly may receive a suitable spline to engage the lower groove I! in the component elements of the panels I0. Thus it is evident that the lower portions of the panels I0 may be firmly interfitted with the sill assemblies. Nailing, however, may be employed also, particularly to aid in securing the reinforcing parts I2 to the side pieces I 4 and 5 of the sill assemblies.

Between the panels Ill filler strips I2 may be provided which are similar to the strips I2, suitable splines I4 being disposed in the registering grooves of the strips I2 and of the intervening These parts may also be connected to ments I2 of adjoining panel assemblies cooperate with theintervening filler piece I2 in forming a vertical frame element or stud portion of the wall assembly.

If desired, the optional fillerpiece I2 illustrated, in Fig. 19 may be employed in place of a filler strip I2 The member I2 may consist of two In practice the splines I4 may be secured, as by gluing, to one of the halves of this filler piece, and after the adjoining parts of the wall have been assembled the remaining half of the piece may be located in place and nailed to the portion first assembled with the wall. As illustrated inFig. l9,

7 the complete filler piece has a cross section similar to that of the member I2. This arrangement facilitates the assembly of the wall structure, particularly if the parts of adjoining panels are not precisely in proper position.

At corners and wall intersections the post assemblies P (Fig.4) may comprise outer elements I2 and I2 and an intermediate element I2 (Fig. 4) which is similar to the element I2 but which is provided with grooves 20. The element "I2? is similarin form to the filler strips I2 of the stud assemblies, while the part I2 is similar to the part I2, but lacks the tongue-like end portions of the latter. The parts of this assembly are' joined to each other by splines I4 and nailing. Ordinarily the post assemblies may be supplemented by thin filler elements I2 having a thickness, for

example, of one-half that of the elements I2 but being arranged in interfitting relation with suitable splines associated with the elements of the post assembly and with the elements I2 of the assemblies for the second storyor the plate assembly for the roof.

As shown in the upper part of Fig. 1, such a post assembly P may be arranged to afford a three-way "connection for walls by the provision of three thin v filler pieces I2 associated with the respective reinforcing elements I2 of the three adjoining panel assemblies II].

In certain cases an internal wall may be provided by the core elements II without arranging the same in panel assemblies III; such construc- Y tions may be employed, for example, for a light partition such as is suitable for a closet. With such an arrangement the stud assemblies may be of the general type previously described, with the exception that the filler element I2 is replaced by a similar element I2 which has less depth transversely of the wall so that it cooperates with the adjoining elements I2 in defininga groove to receive one of the elements II to which a row of similar elements is connected to define the internal partition. With this arrangement the ends of the elements II may be connected to the adjoining wall, floor and ceiling structures as by diagonally direct-ed nailing. Rather than the element'l2 an element I2 such as illustrated in Fig. 20 may be employed. This element I2 is of generally rectangular cross section, having a cross-sectional area equal to one and one-half t'mes that of the body portion of a strip II and having its corners rabbeted as shown to receive splines M which may be glued in place. Before or after this element is assembled in the wall, a retaining plate IDI may be secured by screws to the inner face of the wooden element, this plate being provided with flange portions to engage the corners of the splines I2, as illustrated.

The floor assembly may be formed of panel assemblies Iii including strips II assembled with edge reinforcements I2 .Preferably the panel assemblies II! are made in the shop or manufacturing establishment, wooden strips 22 being secured to the ends of the strips II and extending between the ends of the elements I2 as illustrated in Fig. 10. Reinforcing strips 2| may also be disposed between elements 22. The floor panels I0 which are thus provided may be associated with joist members 24 (Fig. 5) which have grooves formed in their side faces to engage tongues upon strips I I which are secured beneath the assemblies I0. Thus a typical joist assembly is provided by the elements I2 of the panel assemblies Ill by the intervening member 24 and by the adjoining strips II (Fig. l). The ends of these strips I I and of the member 24 rest upon the elements 5 of the sill assemblies at either side of the building. At the front and rear of the building, filler pieces 26 may be arranged to provide grooves engaging strips II (Fig. 7), which are disposed beneath the adjoining portions I2 of the adjoining floor panel, these parts being connected to each other and to the sill assembly by nailing. It is evident that the width of the member 26 corresponds to that of a narrow filler strip I2 and permits the modular relationship of the various elements of the floor and wall to be retained. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, the vertical joints of the wall panels coincide with the horizontal joints of the floor structure.

A floor construction of this general type is advantageous in that each of the'elements II aids in reinforcing the joist members. Thus all parts of such a floor, due to the tongueand groove and.

splined connections, are connected to each other to afford mutual reinforcement. Furthermore,tne arrangementof the members I2 and 24 afiords a construction for the joists which avoids the 4 in providing a large groove to receive the ends of strips II and I2 of the internal wall; the part 'iealso provides a smaller groove engageable with a suitable spline that interconnects the sill assem-' in the general manner already described. The

girt assembly may include an outer piece 4 similar to that of the sill assembly and an intermediate piece 3| (Fig. 6) provided with upper and lower grooves 32 capable of receiving splines. Thus'the lower groove of the element 3| may receive a. spline 33 engageable in the groove I] at the upper ends of the wall panel III. The inner portion of the sill assembly is provided by a member 34 which cooperates with the elements 4 and 3| in defining a large groove to receive the ends of the strips II and I2 of the lower wall assembly. The upper portion of strip 34 is provided with a groove to receive a spline 36 that also engages a small floor spacer strip I I' which is substantially square in cross section. The crosspiece 22 of a floor panel III may be disposed upon the strip II (Fig. 11) and cooperate with the elements 4 and 3 I in defining a large groove to receive the lower ends of the strips II and I2 of the wall panel assemblies'of the succeeding story and cooperating parts At the side of a floor panel a construction quite similar to thatemployed with a sill assembly may be employed, the member 34 of the girt assembly 35 having a splined connection withan element 5,

which is similar to the element 5 of the sill assembly, and a filler element 26 being disposed between the member I2 of the floor panel and the element 5, as shown, at the left of Fig. 11.

The type of gut assembly which may be employed with a major internal partition is similar to the internal sill assembly illustrated at the right of Fig. 1, except that the parts are arranged so as to provide a bottom groove to receive the upper ends of the strips II and I2 of the internal partition.

It is evident that the parts of a building construction of this type may be cut as desired to provide openings for doors and windows and that they may readily be associated with a conven tionai-or any suitable roof structure. Thus a construction of the type disclosed herein may be employed in combination with a conventional framebuilding, as, for example, to provide an addition or extension upon such a building.

Obviously a building of the type described may be provided with any suitable flat or pitched roof,

.and the elements II and I2 may, if desired, be left uncovered and exposed to the weather, or to suitable layers of finishing material may be applied to the exterior or interior surfaces of the walls. In the latter case suitable pockets are provided adjoining the strips II and between the members. I2 which maybe left vacant to afiord 65 air pockets for insulation or which may be filled with any suitable insulating material. Obviously a construction of this type is adapted to beemployed in combination with conventional frame buildings when desired, as; for example, to pro- 70 wide additions to the latter, and is adaptable to cutting to permit variations in design arrangement of door and window openings, provision of closets, openings for registers and the like.

In practice many of thestrips II rather than 75 extending for the full heightof the panel may be formed ofshort pieces which-are held in spliced engagement due to the tongue and groovecon' nection with adjoining strips. Thus-this invention affords the economy of permitting thee'rn-v Dloyment of short pieces of w that. a ily 6 ht have littlecommercial value Obviously many of the parts of such a building may be preformed in a manufacturing establishment, certain parts being joined in assemblies; such as wall panel assemblies, sill and girt.asl0 semblies; floor panel assemblies, and the like. The parts may preferably be, formedby' automatic machinery to close dimensions'so that a modular relationship is maintained between, the 1 various component elements which are employed 15 in a building system of this character. Thus the strips II have a square cross section, the tongue of the strip projecting beyond the square portion thereof and the groove of the strip being reentrant within the square portion. .body portion of a strip II may be regarded as defining a module which determines the cross sections as well as in many cases the lengths of the component members of the assembly. Thus the members I2, I2 and I2 each have one cross- 25 sectional dimension conforming to that of a strip II while having a transverse cross-sectional dimension equal to three times that of the strip II On the other hand, the members I2 have a cross-sectional dimension which is twice that of 30 the strip II while the members 4, 5 and I have a thickness like that of the strip II buthave depths which are multiples of the cross-sectional, modular dimension of a strip I I. The filler strips I2 have one dimension equal to three times the 35 modular dimension of the strip II and a transverse dimension-equal to one-half of the modular dimension. g

It is furthermore evident that the arrangement of the grooves upon the larger pieces suchas 40 the members I2, I2 I2 etc., has a modular relationship to the dimensions of a strip II. 0bviously when a groove is formed upon the narrower face of such a member, it is located centrally of the member in a position corresponding 45 to the groove of the strip II. When a groove is located upon a wide face of such a. rectangular member, its central portion is either spaced from one edge of the member at a distance equal to the spacing of a groove from a side of the strip 50 II or at a multiple of this dimension. Thus in 'the case of a member I2 the central portion of a groove is spaced from the faces of the member at a distance equal to one and one-half times the modular dimension afforded by the side of a body 55 portion of a member I I, while in the case, for example, of a floor member 24, the groove is located at one-half of this modular distancefrom one edge of the member and at two and onehalf times this distance from the opposite edge. It is thus evident thatthe various parts of a buildingof this character may be suitably standardized and provided with interrelated modular dimensions, which permit a high degree of flexibility in construction without necessity for cutting to special dimensions, although these elements may be readily cut if desired.

In certain constructions,'it is preferable to arrange the wall panels so that the strips H extend horizontally. Thus, as shown in Fig. 16, a

panel assembly 40 may be provided by a plurality of strips II arranged horizontally with their tonguedand grooves portions in, interfltting-relation. Vertically disposed boards 4| 'may'be secured to the faces of the end portions ofthese i5 r This square 20' strips, thus affording suitable reinforcements. In certain cases, particularly when panels of this character are to be employed for external walls, the boards 4| may be secured upon one face only of the assembly of strips or the boards 4| may be removed from one face of the assembled strips before the panel assembly is disposed, for example, in an external wall. When the assembly is to be employed in an internal wall, the boards 4| are ordinarily provided and retained upon both faces of the assembly.

Withthis construction a composite sill of the type illustrated in Fig. 12 may be employed, such a sill comprising an outer. plate 4, an intermediate plate 43 providing a horizontal groove 44 and inner members 45 and 45 the latter providing grooves at its sides, one of which may be associated with a spline 58 fitting into a portion of the floor assembly. A spline 46 may be secured in the groove 44 and may engage a groove in a plate 48 which overlies the members 42, 43 and 45.

This plate 48'may have the same general cross section as the elements l2 shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

A second spline 49 may be disposed in the upper groove of the element 48 to engage a groove in the lower element II of a wall panel. Inner and outer pilasters 50 and 52 may be arranged to engage the end portions of wall panel assemblies 40, thus cooperating in providing vertically disposed frame elements. Thus the end portions of two panel assemblies may be arranged in abutting engagement with the boards 4| received in a groove in a vertical member 50, these grooves having a width of the order of twice the width of a single board 4|.

A grooved element 50 may have a groove wide enough to engage one board 4| and be arranged tocooperate with other parts in providing a post assembly, such as assemblies P and P illustrated in Fig. 12. Thus at an external corner, outer frame elements 52 and 64 (the latter being of the same cross section as elements 4|) may be arranged in planes at right angles to each other to define the external portion of the. corner portion; the lower ends of these elements resting upon the outer portion of the sill plates 48. Filler pieces 65 and 65 may be disposed in the planes of the strips of the adjoining wall panel assemblies and the grooved element 50 may be engaged with the end portion of one of these assemblies, while a similar, but narrower element 50 may be similarly engaged with the end portion of the other assembly. The various parts of such a composite post may be secured to each other and to the adjoining parts by nailing, being arranged as shown in Fig. 12.

, The post assembly P is provided by an outer plate'or element 64, a filler element 65 in the planes of the strips ll of adjoining panel as- -semblies with grooved elements 50 and 50 engaging theends of the adjoining wall panel assemblies and with a filler element 65 in the plane I of the internal wall, these parts being secured to each other and to the external and internal sill assemblies by nailing, thus providing a composite three-way post connection.

With this embodiment of the invention the internal sill member may be of the type illustrated at the right of Fig. 12, comprising two outer elements 51 connected by splines 53 with an intermediate element 54 having its upper portion cut away to provide a groove receiving a. spline 46* engageable in a plate 48 similar to that employed for the external sill assembly. The floor panel assemblies (Fig. 15) employed with this embodiment of the invention may comprise a plurality of strips with side members 51 provided with grooves to receive the tongue of one of the strips II at one side of the assembly and receive a suitable spline 58 at the other side of 5 the assembly which is engaged within the groove of the adjoining strip As shown in Fig. 12, these floor panel assemblies may be arranged with their side pieces 51 in juxtaposition and provided with an interconnecting spline 60; at the sides of the floor, as illustrated inthe lower part of Fig. 12, the adjoining side pieces 51 may be similarly connected by a spline 58 to the grooved member 45 of the sill assembly, the members 45 and 51 having a similar cross section. Fig. 13 illustrates the construction shown in Fig. 12 as assembled with the girt portions and second floor of a building. The pilasters 50 and 5| may be secured as by nailing to plates 4|! which are similar in cross section to the plates 48 of the sill assemblies. In the external girt assemblies these plates 38 may receive splines 49 connecting the former to the inner element 10 of the girt assembly, while an outer element ll may be secured, as by nailing, to the outer marginal portion of each external plate 48. An upper plate 48 may be connected by a spline 49 to the element 10 and may beconnected, as by nailing, to the elements 10 and H. Thus the upper and lower plates 48 cooperate with the members 10 and IL-particularly the former r'in defining a groove to receive the ends of the floor panels, which may be similar in construction"-to those shown in Fig. 15, the ends of parts H and parts 22* of these panels being disposed in the grooves thus provided by the sill assemblies.

The girt arrangement for an internal wall such as is illustrated at the right of Fig. 13 may comprise a lower plate 48 having a spline connection with a girt element 54 of a girt assembly of the same type as the internal sill assembly provided upon the first floor and described supra.

Fig. 17 illustrates a further adaptation of the invention wherein the strips Hare generally disposed in horizontal planes. With this construction the floor, sill and girt assemblies may be of the same general type as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 and described with reference to those figures, and the internal walls may be similarly built up of panel assemblies 40. The external walls, however, are provided by assemblies each including a plurality of horizontally disposed strips H with upper and lower reinforcing elements 80 connected to the strips H by tongued and splined connections. The reinforcing members 80 extend outwardly beyond the strips having substantially twice the thickness thereof in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The panel assemblies thus provided may be assembled in the manner illustrated in Fig. 17 so that the strips II and the members 80, which may be similar in cross section to elements l2 of Fig. 1, define continuous planar surfaces for the interior of the building, while the strips 80 65 of adjoining panel assemblies are disposed in juxtaposition to afford horizontal ribs for the outer walls. At the corners of the building and at intervals therebetween filler members 83 may be provided, if desired, to afford a further reinforcement of the structure. At the bottom of such a wall assembly the member 80 of the lower panel assembly receives a spline 49 of the sill assembly. At the top of an external wall a similar arrangement may be employed, a spline 49 76 secured to each other by means such as nailing in additionto the tongue and grooved or splined connections.

From the foregoing it is obvious that the present invention-permits the provision of a system of building elements which may be economically manufactured in quantities and may be assembled in accordance with a variety of arrangements while permitting conformity to a wide variety of architectural designs. In fact, the flexibility of construction permitted by these parts makes them convenient for employment in constructing articles of furniture such as beds, tables, closets, or the like, which may be either built into or removable from the building in which they are located. Obviously the modular relationship of the dimensions of the elements permits them to be employed in a wide variety of relationships, only a few of which are illustrated herein. The essential portions of the building construction may be arranged to afford an effective weather seal and to permit simplicity of construction so that little, if any, skilled labor is required, particularly if a small building is being erected. On the other hand, a construction of this character may be employed with suitable conventional or special finishing panels and insulating arrangements where a more elaborate construction is desired. Furthermore, the arrangement of the tongue and groove 'and splined connections, particularly when nailing is employed,-permits wood to be used without undesirable strains resulting from expansion and contraction due to changes in humidity.

Since the spline connections are in general the mechanical equivalents of the tongue and groove connections, the term tongue and groove in the following claims is to be construed to cover splined connections, unless clearly inconsistent with the context. It' should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of'illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Panel assembly comprising a plurality of wooden strips with interfitting tongues and grooves, and reinforcing members extending along the edges of the assembly and secured to the strips, said members being grooved, one of said members having a groove in interfitting engagement with the tongue of the adjoining strip, and a spline fitting in a groove of theother member and in a groove of the adjoining strip, said strips being assembled in coplanar relationship,

each of said members having a thickness greater than that of the strips and extending beyond the plane thereof, the ends of said members having a thickness of the order of that of the strips, whereby the .ends of the assembly may be received in grooved frame members.

2. Panel assembly comprising a plurality of wooden strips with interfitting tongues and grooves, and reinforcing members extending along-the edges of the assembly and secured to the strips, said members being grooved, one of said members having a groove in interfitting engagement with the tongue of the adjoining strip,

and a spline fitting in a groove of the othermemher and in a groove of the adjoining strip, said strips being assembled in coplanar relationship, each of said members having a thickness greater than that of the strips and extending beyond the plane thereof, the ends of said membershaving a thickness of the order of that of the strips,

whereby the ends of the assembly may be received in grooved frame members, the ends of said members and of said strips having aligned grooves defining an elongate groove at the end of the panel to receive a spline or the like.

3. Building construction comprising frame' members providing grooves, panel assemblies extending between the frame members, each of said panel assemblies including similar strips having substantially less thickness than the frame members, and reinforcing members extending transversely of the stripsadjoining but in spaced relation to the ends thereof so that the ends of the strips extend beyond the reinforcing members to provide tongues, said tongues being received in the grooves of the frame membersand said rein- 0 forcing members being juxtaposed to the faces bers, and reinforcing members extending transversely of the strips adjoining but in spaced relation to the ends thereof so that the ends of the strips extend beyond the reinforcing members to provide tongues, said tongues being received in the grooves of the frame members and said reinforcing members being juxtaposed to the faces of the frame members at either side of the grooves thereof, small aligned grooves in the ends of the strips and corresponding small grooves in the inner walls of the grooves of the frame members, and splines disposed in the small grooves at the ends of the strips and the small grooves of the frame members, thereby to afford an effective seal between the panel assemblies and frame members.

less depth than the adjoining plates to define a 65 groove having a width corresponding to the thickness of the tongue portions, the-tongue portions being received in the grooves thus provided by the frame members.

ALBERT F. BElVII S. 

